Article 3 of the Saudi Narcotics Law Implementing Regulations

This article distinguishes two stages in dealing with narcotics and psychotropic substances offenses: monitoring and prosecution.

• Monitoring: this is the competence of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control and every body with jurisdiction over the place where the offense occurred and its location.
• Prosecution: this is the competence of every body that has criminal-investigation (judicial police) capacity or carries out criminal-investigation work, investigation or trial, each within the limits of its job duties.

The article ties the work of these bodies to three references: the Law of Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, these Regulations, and the Law of Criminal Procedure. That is, the bodies of arrest and investigation and the courts perform their role in narcotics cases under the general procedural rules alongside the narcotics-specific provisions.

The article matters to individuals because it shows that proceedings against an accused in these offenses are carried out by specific bodies by virtue of their capacity and job jurisdiction. The article does not detail the procedures themselves, which are governed by the laws referred to. Anyone facing a procedure in a narcotics case would do well to consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases.